Question RE: Painting EPS blanks

[jbw4600]

Thomas or any body else, I am building some new EPS boards. I have toyed with the idea of painting them instead of putting pigment in the resin. I was wondering, if you paint the board before sealing it the epoxy/micro baloon slurry or after you seal it. What is your favorite paint? Acrylic seems one of the main choices. Also do you think that the bond suffers when you paint vs no paint? Does painting a blank make a board weaker?

[nomastomas]

***Always try your finish on a sample before using it on your work. Especially, if you don't have any experience with the product.***

Never spray raw eps blank with common spray-can paint. The spray-can paint contains acetone, which dissolves eps foam.
Spray-can paint contain solvents and propellants such as acetone, propane, xylene and toluene. Using spray-can paint, even on the sealed surface, may cause bonding issues.

Seal with epoxy resin and micro-balloons first, and let cure. Then you can spray.
If you air-spray a water-based paint, such as interior latex paint, using a compressor or air-less sprayer you should have no problems. Use flat or matte finish for best results. Pick out a color from the huge selection at Lowes or Home Depot, and ask them to mix up a "sample" for you. It'll cost about $6 but it will be plenty of paint for your purpose.
Avoid using paints which are "scrub-able". These contain silicon which will cause a gloss coat to "fish eye", and will likely impact bond if laminated over.

Some builders will use spray-can paint over the fully laminated and sanded shell, and follow this with a spray coat of acrylic floor finish. Others will decorate laminated board with Posca Pens. and finish with a coat of Krylon clear matte. Artist Drew Brophy is a master of decorating surfboards. Check this out for some ideas http://www.surfline.com/video/webisodes ... ophy_21964

***Always try your finish on a sample before using it on your work. Especially, if you don't have any experience with the product.***